Netbooks evolved from a necessity for people to carry a lighter, slimmer and more manageable Notebook PC or laptop, while travelling. In the process some of the features like a recording device were done away with. In technology circles a Laptop with less than one kilogram weight and a display of about ten inches would be classified as a Netbook. The Apple iPad has 9.7 inch LED display and a weight of around 0.7 kg.

Apple Apple iPad has gone a bit further and pared down a Netbook to its essentials. Does it mean that an Apple iPad is essentially a smaller version of a Netbook? This may be true to an extent though Apple iPad is a proprietary hardware while Netbook is a generic term. A Netbooks can run multiple software developed by different vendors, while with an Apple iPad you have to buy software from an Apple store.

Apple iPad has been welcomed by customers who travel extensively and use the device for reading online news, download books & periodicals and for browsing the net . The lightweight and handy Apple iPad can do all this and more. Most users never utilize the power of a Netbook and consider many advanced features a waste.

Critics bemoan the absence of some features in an Apple iPad which are now deemed essential. There is no camera which means video chats are out. This is cited as a major drawback. Technology observers feel that providing only a WIFI access is a limitation. There is no wired data port like an USB. iPod dock connecter is too clumsy and limited in its use. Another problem with an Apple iPad is the absence of Flash support, which means much of the internet is beyond its grasp. On the other hand some online companies assert that Flash is no longer a necessity and one can enjoy a rich internet experience without it. The small aspect ratio of the Apple iPad screen has also come in for criticism from some quarters.

One of the features of an Apple iPad is the long battery life of ten hours. This for many is a great boon. The battery of an Apple iPad tends to deteriorate and Apple has made provisions to replace the same at nominal cost.

Netbook is for those who want almost full featured capability of a PC with multitasking ability. On the other hand, Apple iPad is for those who want to conduct their daily business without the hassle of dragging a weighty bit of hardware around. It is light weight, easy to handle and does all the chores which a normal person would want in course of day.

Amazon Kindle and Sony Readers are simply e-readers and nothing else. If that’s so, why do people buy Amazon Kindle? Going by the high sales figures, there must be something in this stripped down device which appeals to buyers who are ready to spend for this exclusive experience. One the reason why Amazon Kindle is popular is because of its extremely light weight and form factor. The same goes for Sony Reader. Those reading long novels on a Netbook are sure to catch a sprain in their neck even if they manage to read one while lying down. With Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader, you can be as comfortable as with reading a paperback . Their design is also such that the screen resembles an actual physical page . The feel of paper mat admittedly be missing but that’s a sensual pleasure one has to sacrifice here. The reading experience with Amazon Kindle is great also because of the technology called eink. This makes reading a pleasure. Netbooks have a LED screen which can be difficult to read under different lighting conditions. The eink technology may be one of the main reasons why Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader score well above Netbooks.

But more than technology it is the look and feel of Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader which sets them apart from Netbooks. You have to understand that readers of books, novels and periodicals are a different breed of animals. They want to read lying down, half sprawled, on the beach, on a mountain top and everywhere else in between. Try doing this with a Netbook and you will know the difference. Lugging it up a steep mountain path would be enough.

Amazon Kindle is a e-reader designed and sold by Amazon who are the largest book sellers in the world. The Amazon Kindle version of novels is far cheaper than the print versions. They can be downloaded instantly using Amazon Kindle without bothering about delivery and other such problems. The only issue is that not all books have a Amazon Kindle version which can make things a tad difficult for bibliophiles.

On the whole, Netbooks are for those who want to keep in touch with friends and colleagues while they are on the move. Reading experience per se is not the main criteria. Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader on the other hand are purely e-reading devices.

Linux – this is a great, lightweight O/S to consider if you have an older netbook and are primarily concerned with keeping connected to the web. It’s the least cumbersome of the available O/S selection, but be prepared to sacrifice some basic applications for the faster performance. Linux just doesn’t give anywhere near the selection of applications supported by XP or other Windows versions. Also, if you’re thinking about switching from a Windows platform to Linux, keep in mind that the current models of netbooks being produced are running just fine with Windows 7. It might not be worth the time learning a new O/S, just to turn around and learn another one.

Windows XP – Overall this is the best O/S for netbooks a year or more older. It does not inhibit the system like Windows Vista, and also offers much more functional capability than Linux. The ability to run Microsoft Office will be what makes Windows XP the definitive winner over Linux for anyone who needs word processing. If, however, you have a newer model and are only using XP because you despise Vista’s interface, it’s certainly worth your while to look into Windows 7 (read below), you’ll find it’s probably worth the upgrade. You’ll get better performance and a refreshingly easy to learn interface.

Windows Vista – This notoriously anger-inspiring O/S was too hefty on system resources for earlier models of netbooks, but newer models don’t seem to have any problems, other than the interface of Vista itself. If you have miraculously become accustomed to Vista, however, you might as well keep it for the time being, unless you’re just dying to buy a new O/S.

Windows 7 – After the public relations fiasco of Vista, the newest version of Windows has been a welcome upgrade for almost all PC users, whether desktop or laptop. Of course, Windows 7 is catered to multithreaded CPUs and boosts performance on these machines quite effectively. Will this have any bearing on netbooks though? Obviously, the CPU offered even in the best models of netbooks isn’t going to take advantage in any way of what Windows 7 has to offer, but this definitely doesn’t mean it’s not worth the upgrade. Windows 7 isn’t really as technologically leaps forward over Vista, and therefore doesn’t eat up netbook system resources any more than Vista. However, the user interface is substantially friendlier and much more intuitive. The base line: If you’re using Windows XP currently only because of pure loathing of Vista, Windows 7 is worth the upgrade. Vista users won’t find much difference in performance, but if the awkward Vista interface is still pushing you towards madness little by little each day, make the upgrade as well. Your stress level will thank you.

ASUS – This is where it all started, the Asus Eee PC. Its original 7” screen left some people wondering if this was a baby‘s first PC toy or some kind of larger Blackberry mobile phone. Asus has evolved a lot since then, developing a wide range of models catering to almost any specification, whether for business or for pleasure. The Asus Ee Pc 900 is one of their more popular models, featuring a sensibly larger display screen. As for the Eee series, the 1005HA model will probably be one of the most popular this holiday season with a whopping 10.5 hours of battery time besides offering one of the fastest processors in the market. The new Asus definitely isn’t confusing anyone these days, it still may be used as a toy, but one for the more grown-up user who plays Video Poker in between video conference calls.

Dell – A voraciously aggressive marketer, Dell has fully embraced the netbook feeding frenzy with its Inspiron mini series. There’s not a lot of huge technological advances coming from Dell, but they offer a very sturdy and very customizable chassis, allowing the shopper to pick and choose what options suit their needs the best. For all the advertising, Dell has ended up on the pricier side in terms of value for performance.

HP – A well established company, HP has consistently produced laptops with fantastic display quality, and this certainly holds true for their netbook models. HP mini 311 is a good example, holding up great performance with a 1080p resolution. Considering the low-end price, HP is a very attractive choice for anyone looking for a quality netbook without breaking the bank.

Lenovo – a lesser known Chinese brand, Lenovo is gaining a lot of popularity for it’s amazingly competitive price for the same technology offered by its competitors. This brand will, no doubt, gain some recognition in the next few years.

MSI – There seems to be no other single model recommended so often and so emphatically as the MSI – Wind. With a keyboard configuration much more similar to that of a standard laptop (due, in part, to the wonderful idea of giving us a conventionally placed SHIFT key!) This single feature is probably more significant than you would think. If you are a first time netbook buyer, definitely compare an MSI model before making a final decision. Of course the keyboard layout isn’t the only good feature. MSI scores high across the board for customer service, screen quality, performance, and pretty much any other point of comparison besides price, but this is definitely a model to look at if you’re not on such a strict budget.

Samsung – Along with HP, Samsung offers superior display quality. The latest model N510 features true HD 1080p resolution with some pretty stellar specs in every area. As always, Samsung is quality designed, and performance standards are high, but so is the price.

Sony – once the giant of all electronics, Sony has taken some slack the past few years, and subsequently it’s reputation overall has taken a hit. Don’t let this shy you away from a VAIO netbook, however. Sony is on top of the 3G integration, and has a very compact and efficient design. The screen quality is also one of the finest available. On the superficial side, Sony definitely has an edge on chic designs, with an interesting selection of colors available. On the downside, don’t expect this looker to be light on the wallet.

Toshiba – As a late contender into the netbook frenzy, the Toshiba Mini NB205 might be able to carve a niche into the saturated market. It offers the standard processing power, but with a fantastic 9-hour battery life. Add in a very user friendly keyboard and attractive design, and you’ve got a successful last-minute contestant, especially considering the bargain price (originally $399, but look to see some great deals during the holiday rush).

It is not officially released yet, but you are free to download the source and try it yourself:

http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os

Well technically it is illegal, but it doesn’t hurt to know.

But why would you want to use Mac OS X instead of Windows? Well here are couple of good reasons:

• Less viruses – there are still viruses, but just less of them compared to Windows
• Nicer interface – this is just an opinion, but don’t knock it until you try it
• More pre-installed software – less junk, better software
• A good companion for your other Apple devices like your iPhone and iPod

But before you think about trying this, here is a chart showing the compatibility of MAC OS X with different netbook brands.

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Initially these Netbooks were not as powerful as a standard laptop. Their processors were slower, and their disk space and RAM were paltry as well. As the market for these smaller and more portable laptops increased, so did their specifications. Modern units rival a standard laptop in processor speed and routinely offer 1GB of RAM and 250GB hard drives. They are also available with a wide choice of operating systems and can be ordered with both Windows and Linux varieties to match your preference.

The advantages to using a Netbook over a standard laptop are many and most users choose them based on their portability. Normally a Netbook is defined as a 9-inch, 10-inch or 12-inch screen, and having a screen this small makes their overall dimensions just slightly larger than a magazine in footprint. This means that you can easily use them on an airplane in even the most cramped of circumstances and still are able to open them up completely for typing. Most of them are 1-inch thick or smaller which makes them easy to carry in your backpack when traveling. The interesting thing is that even with these smaller dimensions, most of the manufacturers are still able to keep the keyboard almost as large as a normal laptop keyboard. This makes typing feel very natural and makes sending long Emails a breeze. If you like a full sized keyboard, it is very easy to add a wireless keyboard and mouse pair to the Netbook when you have longer reports or presentations to compose.

Another advantage these Netbooks enjoy over standard laptops is their amazing battery life. Because there is a much smaller power requirement for the smaller screens, many of the Netbooks can easily operate for 6 hours or more on a singe charge. This means you can work or play on a Netbook for an entire cross country flight without worrying about running out of power.

These Netbooks also gives you a wide universe of connections as well to make expanding them easy. Most of them offer a minimum of at least three USB connections that you can use for any of your standard peripherals. They also usually provide a standard VGA connection for an external monitor or projector. This is handy if you use the Netbook for presentations or just want to connect it to a larger monitor when working at your desk. Finally many of them include a memory slot that you can slide a memory card into to expand their memory or transfer content.

Overall the latest generation of Netbooks offer all the major features of a smaller laptop with a smaller price and weight to match.

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Netbooks have been around for a few years now and have gained a wide popularity with mobile users. They offer many advantages over a traditional laptop and are usually less expensive than a similarly configured traditional laptop. Also, because of their smaller size, they offer greater portability and longer battery life as well on a single charge. Even though they have several key advantages for most mobile users, there are a few things to consider before taking the leap into a new Netbook.

One of the reasons that the Netbooks have such amazing battery life is because they have a smaller screen. While this may add hours to the battery life of the average Netbook, some people have a hard time using a really small screen. The good news is that the Netbooks are usually offered in a 9-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch variety and if you go with the larger of the screens it’s much easier to read. This larger screen also gives you a longer battery life than a traditional laptop, but makes working on the Netbook easier on your eyes.

Another way the Netbooks achieve the longer battery charge is by using a processor that has been designed with a lower power requirement. Even though these processors work really well for most applications, some processor-heavy applications may be a little slower on a Netbook. Also you may have to limit your activities to one task at a time and avoid multitasking with larger applications. This is usually fine for most users and doesn’t create problems for them as long as they are aware of their needs.

The one thing missing from the Netbook is any type of CD or DVD drive. This means if you want to install programs or watch a movie on the plane, you’ll need an external USB drive. These are relatively inexpensive and are easy to connect if you need to install any programs. The other option is to install applications from a network drive, or download movies from one of the online retailers. The truth is that most CD/DVD players are very infrequently used on laptops and eliminating this in a Netbook really helps to keep the cost and weight down.

The last downside to a netbook might be the keyboard and mouse layout. Most of the manufacturers have done a good job keeping the keyboard as close to full sized as possible. The challenge for many is that to do this they have had to either rotate the track pad and mouse buttons into an unnatural position, or make the track pad shorter. While both of these issues are easy to overcome with a little use, they do represent another hurdle for many users.

Even with all of these minor wrinkles, the Netbook continues to grow in popularity with users, and is one of the hottest categories in portables today. Most major computer vendors offer several models in this category and even corporate clients have jumped onboard by offering Netbooks as an alternative for their mobile workforce. Most of the concerns discussed can easily be overcome with a little work and training and won’t stop you from enjoying all of the advantages that a Netbook provides for your mobile computing needs.

This list will be combination of editor’s choice and user reviews. I made this list by comparing user votes on various sites. The product with the most reviews and with the most stars got on this list.

Hopefully this list can help you make the right netbook buying decision.

CNET – Asus Eee PC 1005HA – 4/5 Stars
PCWorld – Toshiba NB205-310 – Very Good – 88/100
Amazon – ASUS Eee PC 1000HE – 4.5/5 Stars
Bestbuy – MSI – Wind Netbook – 4.6/5 Stars

To purchase any of these netbooks try: Buy Online, Pickup in Your Local Best Buy® Store.